How to Add Control Panel to the Right-Click Start Menu in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the Control Panel was largely replaced by “Settings,” but many users still prefer the traditional Control Panel for managing system settings. Here’s a simple guide to add the Control Panel back to the right-click Start menu for quick access.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

First, open the Registry Editor in Windows by following these steps:

  • Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog box.
  • Type regedit and press Enter.
  • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), confirm to allow access to the Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to the Relevant Registry Section

In the Registry Editor, go to the following path:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell

Step 3: Create a New Key

Now, create a new key that will appear in the context menu:

  • Right-click on the shell key and select New → Key.
  • Name the new key something recognizable, like “Control Panel.”

Step 4: Add the Command to Launch Control Panel

Next, add a command to open the Control Panel:

  • Select the new key you created (e.g., Control Panel).
  • Create a new String Value named command.
  • Double-click on the command entry, and in the “Value” field, enter:
control

Step 5: Verify the Changes

Close the Registry Editor. Now, when you right-click on the Start button, you should see an option to open the Control Panel in the context menu.